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For all you working women - especially moms - who feel guilty about late hours and day care, just read about The Wife of Noble Character and you’ll feel better (I’ve posted it below).   But she and other strong female characters of the bible may be at risk. 

I don't affiliate myself with any specific formalized religion, so perhaps I shouldn’t care that the bible is undergoing a rewrite by a conservative group that has decided that the good book has gotten “too liberal”.   I’m not kidding – see this link.   Afterall, the only way one could come to any liberal interpretation of biblical passages is because the bible is poorly written, right? 

As it's rewritten from their perspective, how will strong female characters such as The Wife of Noble Character, a wise, independent, female entrepreneur, make out?   One of this group's stated goals is to edit the language so it is "Not Emasculated: avoiding unisex, "gender inclusive" language, and other modern emasculation of Christianity (emphasis added).  If these guys use Mad Men as the model of what that means, girls, are we in trouble!  

I’m not going to get all religious on you - for me that would be impossible frankly.  But I thought you should know about this truly kick-ass woman from a few thousand years ago who built a thriving clothing design business with both retail and wholesale distribution channels (text of Proverb appears below).   She decides to buy a piece of raw land and convert it into a vineyard.  She profitably manages her investments and gives some of the earnings from her entrepreneurial pursuits to help those less fortunate. In short, The Wife of Noble Character is a shrewd, wise businesswoman who is loved and respected by her kids, her husband and the wider community.  She obviously married a true partner because he’s extremely proud of her achievements - she doesn't suplicate herself out of worry for his ego.  And she doesn't try to do it all herself - she has help. (OK, probably slaves in those days - daycare and a good cleaning service today.)   The Wife of Noble Character is actually the "epilogue" of the Proverbs section. This means that the Proverbs chapter literally ends with a glimpse into the future of the value of a strong entrepreneurial wife - worth more than rubies - as described by King Lemuel to his son.  My Google search shows the passage was either written or compiled in the 5th year BC, so over two thousand years ago.  But even if it were today, this would be a fine liberal passage indeed.  It appears society's view of a "modern business woman" turns out to be over 2,000 years old, while what we call a "traditional" housewife is actually quite recent - sounds like something we ought to fix with a new bible, don't you think? 

There are of course many reasons to be concerned about this potential biblical rewrite, but Vjournal is about encouraging strong women to be exactly who they are.  So we’ll see if The Wife of Noble Character and other strong female bible characters survive intact the conservatives who’ve decided to take out any so-called liberal bible bias.  After all, the bible is full of stong women to be reckoned with - prime targets of emasculation for weaker men like the wing-nuts undertaking this project.  The Wife of Noble Character, as you can see below, could become financially dependent on her husband through the removal of the lines about her entrepreneurial pursuits and investments.  If they touch even one word to move her in this direction, what blasphemy that would be. 

A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.

Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.

She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.

She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.

She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.

She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls.

She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.

She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.

She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.

In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.

When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet.

She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.

She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.

She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.

Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:

“Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.”

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.